Newsletter

April 2, 2018 For Immediate Release
Exeter, ON - Jessica’s House – Huron County, A Residential Hospice Announces GRAND OPENING

The new residential hospice in Exeter is ready to open its arms and doors to the community. After an impressive 2 year fundraising campaign raising more than $3 million in cash and significant in-kind donations, the South Huron Hospital Foundation project is ready to launch.

The stunning three-bedroom home has been built at the south end of Exeter and the Steering Committee is completing the final details to present Jessica’s House to the community.

“It is a very exciting time to acknowledge the completion of this incredible campaign and now the official opening”, advises Pat O’Rourke, Chair of the South Huron Hospital Foundation. “We welcome everyone to come and celebrate all the hard work and generosity of our communities”.

“We are also proud to announce that Jessica’s House will be able to admit residents during the week of June 18th”, confirms Deb Homuth, Chair of the Jessica’s House Steering Committee.

Once the home opens for residents, there will be no more general public tours so the community is encouraged to come and view the results of this incredible journey the weekend of June 15th.

“The South Huron Hospital Foundation is humbled by the efforts and hard work of the members of the Steering Committee and Capital Campaign Team.” remarked Pat O’Rourke. “We are even more humbled and grateful by the stunning generosity of our community”.

“From the two dollar donation to the $500,000.00 donation, each gift came with a special story”. Says Rob Reid - Campaign Chair. “Stories we treasure and will retell for years to come, and memorialize in Jessica’s House. I am proud to have served our community in this capacity“

Jessica’s House is a 3 bedroom residential hospice built in the community of Exeter, South Huron and will welcome anyone diagnosed with a life limiting illness. Please go to www.jessicashouse.ca Information regarding admission criteria. The website will be updated regularly as staff are hired and trained.

For more information please contact Kimberley Payne at kimberley.payne@shha.on.ca or 519-235-2700 ext 5133.

Welcome

Jessica’s House, our local, residential hospice, will be a cheerful, bright, beautiful, welcoming “home away from home” for every single person who wishes to come, regardless of age, gender-identity, economic status, race or religion. Jessica’s House will open its doors wide to offer solace and comfort while abating fear.

This community hospice will provide a sanctuary for those facing end of life and it will offer dignified support to their family and friends, from the time of diagnosis until their journey’s end and beyond. Trust and respect, dignity and compassion will be the hallmarks of the services provided. While respecting each individual patient’s desires, Jessica’s House will be seen as the “go to” place from the time of diagnosis to beyond allowing families to “step in” to the continuum of services at whichever point in their journey is right for them.

Built by the community to serve all those in need, Jessica’s House will exemplify what is best about our human nature to demonstrate compassion, empathy and joy. Not all families will choose to access all or any of the services that Jessica’s House will provide; however, there will be comfort in knowing that “she” is there if you need “her”. In short, Jessica’s House will provide people with a choice.

If you belong to a local service club or church group that have offered or would like to offer to provide donated food for the families and friends of those visiting Jessica's House we would love to hear from you! We are working on creating a weekly schedule to start when the hospice is open later this spring. As you can imagine the comfort of a bowl of hot soup or a tasty muffin will be so important for those who are visiting and supporting their loved ones. Please contact Kim at kbchan@eastlink.ca to provide your organizations contact information.